Koha technique

MAGNUS

I closed my eyes. Counted up to three and snap them open. My vision is getting better. I can see details without colors. As if I erased the light to see the shapes and forms and aura of these creatures. This is also part of the 'Koha' technique my Dad taught me.

The power to see in the night. The power to measure the amount of mana or blessings someone has. I can see faint red swirling like smoke around the Faery woman. Her long snake like tongue keeps licking at her cheeks. Drools came out from her side lips, staring intently at the Dark Elf. She looks like she wants to eat him up, but not in a literal sense.

The red smoke is her mana. The concentration of it is amazing but... something is stopping its growth. The blue smoke sizzling from her necklace. The one connecting her to the Dark Elf. That's what constricting her. He's putting her on a leash.

I tore my eyes from her green figure and studied the Beasts. I vaguely recalled a teacher from Ling Academy, a man in his late thirties with curly beard and long purple conical hat said, Beasts don't have any mana or blessing in their beings. They're just there to exist and wreak havoc wherever they go.

Though legend stated that… Beasts are not into destruction and terror before. They serve one particular Deity. Their creator. The very reason for their existence. But after the war between realms, that shook the balance of everything, he abandons them. Resigning to his realm. So now they live in pure chaos and won't bow down to anyone. Not until they find their true master again. Probably to seek revenge.

"I came here for peace Elders. How long it lasts..depends on your behavior." The Dark Elf casually said, looking over his shoulder once. I know that look. It's a signal.

All around the Beasts - apparitions of burning fires pop out of nowhere. Wisps the same size as me, and inside... I sucked in my breath when I realize it's the bodies of our fellow fallen Rankers. And because of this heightened vision, I can see white thin smoke coming out of their mouths. keeping the wisps of fire burning... I grit my teeth in disgust.

That's their life force. And the fire is slowly draining them out.

"Magnus?" My comrades eyed me warily.

"What is it? What did you see?" My nails are drilling through my palms. I can feel the warm slimy liquid filling my fingers. Blood. My own blood. I loosen my grip. But my fingers started to shake if I can't hold onto something.

"These monsters.." I said in gritted teeth. "They're slowly killing our comrades. That balls of fire you see there? Our fallen Rankers are inside of it. The more we waste our time here, the more chances they won't survive. It's feeding on their life force."

Shocked silence pulsate in the air. Thomas was the first to break it. Letting out a low growl under his trembling lips. A name uttered so weak came out of his lips. The name of his brother, Tobias.

WE are ONE. Always. Never leave one of our own behind. That's what we live for. Together we passed the hundred test. We drunk the mud on our feet when we're desperate to kill the giant insects trapping us. We ate the worms gnawing tree trunks when it's the only means of food for survival.

We've been through enough. And I get where the confidence and trust in me springing up. We spent five years in each other's protection. One way or another, it was always me who tells them what to do. Because of my heightened senses, I help us pull through tough and desperate times.

And tonight is just one of those circumstances. It's okay, I told myself. We can make this through. I almost feel bad at my thoughts for wanting nothing except to forsake this kingdom. When in fact I can't stand leaving my comrades behind.

"Elders," my thoughts were pulled back to reality when the dark Elf spoke. His voice echoing in the still silence of the desert. His blue cape looks like a strong blazing blue fire under the moonlight. Towering and throwing danger goosebumps like heavy thunderstorm in the sky.

That's when I notice it's actually his mana I'm staring at. My 'Koha' has not died yet. In a split second, my unwavering rage to recover our fallen comrade died down. Replaced by dread brought out by his intimidating mana.

I knew, no matter how much fight these Rank Elders put in the line, they're no match for him. We are like bugs to be trampled on their feet. Spared because we have what they seek. No doubt about it, when the Seeker is found and set forth, these Faeries will throw our kingdoms on fire.

Not giving any trouble to spare one soul under the scorching sun.

"Why don't we have a fair trade? The lives of half of your Rankers in exchange for the Seeker?"

The Rank Elder in the middle, the one with the most bracelet that almost eat his wrists step forward.

"We do not engage in making deals with scandalous Faeries such as yourself!"

The Dark Elf only smiled. With a snap of his fingers the fire engulfing our fallen Rankers intensified. The sucking of life force doubled, quickening their demise.

"Stop it!" I screeched. I lunge towards the Dark Elf, flinging my swords at both arms. But Roland and the others grab me before I could take another step.

"Don't interrupt Ranker." One of the Rank Elder warned. I struggled beneath my comrades' grip. Their strong arms were enough to stop my blood from flowing into my arms.

"But he's killing them! Don't you see? That hovering fire is not there for show. He trapped others inside and –"

"We know!" The one farther right bellowed, striking his staff to the ground.

"He's absorbing their life force! The more we waste time here the lesser our chances of saving them. Being immortal can't protect them – you said the Mark is nothing against their mana right? That's why you warn us to call on your aid whenever a Faery appeared! Because we don't stand a chance. Because we're weak. We know that! That's why we call on your help! We trusted you! So don't you dare toss us like nothing just because it doesn't align with your morals to make a deal with Faeries! Is your pride more important than our lives?! You selfish bastards!"